Reincarnate as the Villainess's Husband - Chapter 79

Chapter 79: Venom and antivenom
One day earlier –

Neonidas looked at Solara, who avoided making eye contact with him. Her face carried an expression of anger, as if she was displeased with the current situation or disliked what Neonidas had just said.

“You will do nothing. Do you understand, Solara?”

Solara gave a slight nod in acknowledgment of her master’s words, but this gesture failed to convince Neonidas. Rising from his seat, he approached her, forcing her to look at him by gently turning her head with a grip on her chin.

“I know you’ve been watching every night I’ve been sex with Yuanna, you little voyeur. And I know you’ll do the same when I’m with Cassandra.”

Solara’s eyes widened in horror, and her face flushed a deep shade of red as embarrassment consumed her upon realizing her secret had been uncovered.

“I-I haven’t!”

“Listen to me, Solara. Cassandra will probably look like she’s attacking me, and it may even seem like she’s succeeding. But no matter what happens, I don’t want you to intervene. Do you understand? That’s why it would be better for you not to watch us. But if you can’t control yourself, don’t think I’ll hesitate to punish you.”

The shame on Solara’s face slowly gave way to a conflicted expression. She appeared to understand Neonidas’ instructions, yet it was evident from her demeanor that obeying them would be challenging. She avoided his gaze, her eyes darting to the floor, but she eventually took a deep breath and nodded.

“I understand… Master,” she muttered, her voice barely audible.

Neonidas seemed satisfied with her submission. He stepped back but didn’t take his eyes off her for even a moment.

“Good. I hope you keep your word,” he said sternly.

Solara parted her lips as if to say something, but Neonidas’ sharp gaze silenced her. At that moment, she knew all too well the consequences of defying her master’s orders. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes.

“If there’s nothing else, may I take my leave?” she asked, her voice cracking despite her effort to sound composed.

“Who said I’d let you leave? First, I need to punish you,” Neonidas said with a menacing grin.

“But, but Master, I haven’t done anything!”

“Oh, but you’ve thought about it, haven’t you? It crossed your mind, didn’t it?”

Realizing she had walked into a lion’s den, Solara frantically sought a way to escape, but it was impossible to elude Neonidas’ strong grip. He spanked her until he was satisfied, then shifted to a more private act that was meant to bring her pleasure.

—

Present day –

Neonidas’ pupils dilated as the venom coursed through his body—or at least, that’s how it appeared to an outsider. This was Cassandra’s power, one capable of potentially killing Allea.

Cassandra’s abilities allowed her to summon snakes in any number her Mana could sustain and command them at will. She could even construct a house from them if she desired.

What truly made Cassandra powerful was her practical ability to create both the venom and the antidote for anything. But how could Cassandra possibly kill Allea and, by extension, Neonidas, when both were immune to venom?

The answer was simple: Cassandra could create the venom for anything. Here, “anything” wasn’t used to exaggerate Cassandra’s power. It was used because there was no better way to describe her ability to produce the venom for absolutely everything. In other words, Cassandra could theoretically create a venom that could override immunity to venom itself.

So potentially Cassandra could make a venom powerful enough to kill the universe, even God, if there is a God, because she could make an infinite number of different venoms. But these are only things he could potentially do, he probably couldn’t make a venom strong enough to kill a god, even if he spent his whole life getting stronger. Of course, that would depend on the power or attributes of the being called God.

This is why Cassandra was strong enough to defeat Allea, destined to be the world’s mightiest. Fortunately—or perhaps unfortunately—Cassandra was unaware of Allea’s and Neonidas’ immunity to venom. Even if she knew, her ignorance of herself full potential rendered it moot.

Cassandra, the woman who would one day be known as the queen of venom’s, stood atop Neonidas. She wiped away her tears, though the look of pity on her face didn’t fade. After a moment of silence, she leaned close to Neonidas’ ear and whispered in her sweet voice.

“I am Cassandra Valen, your one and only love. You love me so much that you trust me completely, don’t you?”

Neonidas smiled as if under the influence of a drug. “Yes… Cassandra… My one true love… I love you, Cassandra!”

“Good, darling. Now, you’ll be absolutely honest with the woman you love, won’t you? Or would you rather break her heart?”

Cassandra took a deep breath. Knowing Neonidas’ supposed love was a result of her manipulation tightened her chest. Her little sister’s life was on the line, but the guilt of taking this path weighed heavily on her. Staring into Neonidas’ eyes, she whispered to herself, “I’m doing this for her… only for her.”

Drawing courage from Neonidas’ vacant, submissive gaze, she pressed on. “Now, tell me, darling. Share all your secrets about Allea—her powers, her weaknesses, and everything I need to know to stop her.”

Neonidas tilted his head slightly, as if lost in thought. “Allea… she’s very strong… but… her power has limits. If her Mana connections are blocked, she can’t use her abilities. If her Mana veins are severed, she’ll be defenseless.”

Cassandra’s heart raced. Neonidas’ easy confession could be the key to her plan, but it also fanned the flames of regret within her. She knew she was doing the right thing for her sister, yet she was betraying herself in the process.

“How can I block her Mana veins? Is there a way?” Cassandra asked, keeping her tone sweet.

“Allea has a special armor. It protects her. The seals inscribed on it to prevent interference with Mana flow… But… if the armor is removed…” Neonidas’ voice trailed off, his eyes glazing over momentarily. Cassandra recognized this as the effect of the venom. It worked, but she couldn’t let it completely cloud his mind.

Cassandra cupped Neonidas’ face in her hands. “Darling… hold on. We’ll get through this together. But you need to trust me completely,” she said softly.

A fake smile spread across Neonidas’ face. “I trust you completely… Cassandra… my love…”

Those words placed a heavier burden on Cassandra’s shoulders. This course of action ignited a storm within her. If only there were another way… if only.

“Now tell me, my love, what plans do you have regarding the Mana stone mine and the magic center?”

Neonidas frowned as if Cassandra had misspoken. Realizing her error, Cassandra immediately softened her tone and spoke again.

“I’m sorry, darling. I don’t want to pressure you. I just want to share everything with you because I’m here for you,” said Cassandra, her voice soft and persuasive, like a sweet melody. The hesitation on Neonidas’ face slowly faded, and he fell under her influence once again.

“The Mana stone mine… it’s very important…” Neonidas began to speak slowly. “I want to create dozens of magical items… to influence Allea… I want to show her how valuable I am now…”

Hearing this, Cassandra’s expression faltered. She began to feel even more pity and sorrow for Neonidas. Internally, she was tormented by putting this innocent man, who had treated her so kindly, in such a situation. Yet, now she realized she could give him the antidote. It was risky, but she could do it.

If she ever needed something again, all she would have to do was put him in this state again and later erase his memory. Cassandra straightened herself and, before rising, looked at Neonidas’ face, which she now found sweet. Over the past week, he had been so kind and caring towards her. And deep inside, she made a promise: she would do everything she could to protect him from her father’s wrath.

“Stay here, alright?”

Neonidas nodded reluctantly. Cassandra then got up, moved to a nearby table, took out a piece of paper, and began writing a letter. At that moment, Neonidas realized he needed to act quickly. Rising silently, as soon as Cassandra finished writing, he used the incredible speed granted by his light element to snatch the paper from the table.

Cassandra didn’t even notice. It was only a few seconds later that she seemed to realize the letter in her hand had disappeared.

“Hmm… So your father is behind all of this,” came an unexpected voice from behind her.

Cassandra’s eyes widened as she turned to glance at the now-empty bed. She was a clever girl, but she couldn’t quite grasp what was happening at that moment. All she knew was that she needed to escape. She immediately sprang from her chair and bolted toward the window, but a strong hand grabbed her, stopping her in her tracks.

“Calm down. I won’t hurt you,” Neonidas said.

Cassandra noticed the change in his voice. The artificial, love-filled tone had been replaced with one that was firm and resolute.

‘How did he recover from the venom? Or wasn’t he poisoned all along?!’ These were the only questions on Cassandra’s mind.

Despite his assurances, the fear within her didn’t subside. Her breath quickened as she struggled to break free from his grip, but instead of letting her go, Neonidas held her even tighter.

“Cassandra, I know why you did this,” Neonidas said, his eyes locking onto hers with a chilling determination.

Cassandra froze at his unexpected alertness. The thought that her plan might have been uncovered only deepened her fear. But Cassandra, a woman who had overcome countless obstacles with her intelligence, quickly composed herself. Within moments, she began to speak calmly.

“Neonidas, you misunderstand. Everything is under my control. My father’s plans shouldn’t concern you. I’m trying to protect you,” she said, her voice steady and sweet.